Lake Velenje – at the boathouse
Lake Velenje formed as the Šalek valley subsided over lignite mining; by 2010 it covered 144 ha and reached 55 m. Divers enter from the wooden piers in front of the boathouse on the south shore, home of the local club DPD Jezero, and follow the artificial rock embankments east or west. Life thins out quickly with depth – there are still few fish, probably because the lake floor was sealed with power-plant ash – so dives deeper than about 15 m make little sense; at that depth ash forms curious patterns as life colonises it. The club has run a traditional New Year's Day dive here for 30 years (25 divers in 2025), roped at about 6 m in front of the piers.
Facts
- Region: Slovenia – Lakes, Rivers & Caves
- Area: Central & East Slovenia (Ljubljana area, Velenje)
- Depth: 0–15 m
- Level: intermediate
- Current: low
- Type: bay, night
- Coordinates: 46.37024, 15.08413
- Highlights: water lilies in the shallows, patterns in coal-plant ash on the bottom (~15 m), artificial rock embankments, traditional New Year's Day dive (DPD Jezero), water birds
- Tips: Winter visibility is better, but water is about 4 °C at all depths – the atlas warns of regulator freezing, so use cold-water-rated regulators and suitable exposure protection. Parking is in front of and behind the boathouse; unload between the boathouse and the piers. Contact DPD Jezero before diving.